Sky Spells Out Altamonte Man's Marriage Proposal

Some folks say you know you're in love when you're ready to ''shout it from the rooftops.'' But Jimmy Strickland had even loftier ambitions for declaring his feelings for Julieanna O'Neal.

It had been a gloomy weekend, spoiling many Independence Day picnics and outings, and clearing just long enough for the July 4 firework exhibits. But as the weather broke on July 5, the sky began to clear and promised a good day for a pool party Strickland had planned at his Altamonte Springs apartment for some of his and Julieanna's friends.

As the guests began to arrive and were finding places to sit around the pool deck, Julieanna looked up, and there above the rooftops was a sky show with her name on it. Passing across the white clouds was the Rosie O'Grady's plane pulling a banner that read, ''Juli Will You Marry Me? Jimmy.''

Julieanna is a senior at the University of Central Florida and graduate of Winter Haven High School. Her parents, Bill and Eleanor O'Neal are from Winter Haven. Strickland is a 1981 graduate of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C. and Bunn High School, Bunn, N.C. His parents are Bobby and Betty Strickland, Pine Ridge, N.C.

Strickland said he always thought the sky-high message would be a neat thing to do after seeing a Pepsi Cola flying team pilot skywrite a message to his love about eight years ago. He knows Joe Kittinger from ballooning and arranged for the message.

Julieanna's answer was, ''yes.'' The couple plan a spring wedding.

-- The Altamonte-Maitland Christian Women's club will meet for brunch and a program from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 14 at the Maitland Civic Center.

Music will be by soloist Kathy Miller of Orlando. Carolyn Pruitt of Orange Park will present a talk titled ''Put On A Happy Face.'' Brunch and nursery reservations must be made with JoAnne Hammond, 330-3956, or Marsha Reynolds, 862-8687.

-- Leroy Brown Jr., son of Leroy and Elouise Brown, 9340 Albermarle Road, Altamonte Springs, has been promoted in the U.S. Army to the rank of private first class. He is a motor transport operator at Fort Bragg, N.C., with the 546th Transportation Company.

-- Capt. Gary S. Calabrese has been decorated with the Air Force Achievement Medal in St. Louis, where he is an air defense personnel management officer with the Army Reserve Personnel Center. His wife Phyllis, is the daughter of Edgar and Susie Avis of 146 Lake Harriet Drive, Altamonte Springs.

The medal is awarded to airmen for meritorious service, acts of courage or other accomplishments.

-- Army Reserve Pvt. Phillip Pinckney has graduated from the wheeled vehicle repairer course at the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

Pinckney is the son of James Pinckney of Jacksonville and the brother of James Pinckney, 849 S. Wymore Road, Altamonte Springs.